Why Organic for Children?

Today’s post is by BITL contributing author and iParenting award winning author, Lisa Barnes. Lisa is the author of the fantastic and practical book, Petit Appetit.

Ginger's third "organic" sweet baby James

According to the US EPA Department of Health and Human Services, the greatest exposure to pesticides and chemicals is in a child’s first 4 years. This is why many advocate for providing organic foods for children whenever possible. Sometimes organic is more costly than conventional foods, due to the higher cost of growing methods, land conversion, and raising practices.

Consider the cost of health and well being, as well as a decision to support the environment – preserving water resources and preventing agriculture-related problems. The extra cost most likely outweighs the worry and concern you have of the possibility of harming your child’s health and development.

However if you can’t always buy organic you can lower your family’s exposure to pesticides by up to 90% if you avoid the 12 most contaminated conventionally grown fruit and vegetables.

What The Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) calls the Dirty Dozen:

apples

celery

strawberries

peaches

spinach

nectarines

grapes

sweet bell peppers

potatoes

blueberries

lettuce

Kale/collard greens

Reducing Health Risks

Buying organic reduces health risks that can be attributed to commercial pesticides and herbicides. No matter how well you wash certain fruits and vegetables there are still remaining traces of potentially harmful chemicals. Babies’ bodies are much more vulnerable to pesticides because their brains and immune systems are still in a state of development. Also pound for pound, babies eat two to four times more fruits and vegetables than adults, and thus are exposed to a higher percentage of possible contaminants.

Increasing Health Benefits

A study at the University of California at Davis (my Alma matter) shows that organically grown strawberries, corn and blackberries are richer in cancer fighting antioxidants, sometimes 60% more, than the same conventionally grown crops. Other studies have proven the same for organically grown peaches and pears too. Researchers theorize that organically grown plants may produce more antioxidants because they have to work harder to fight off pests and disease, otherwise killed by pesticides and chemicals.

Reducing Nitrites

Some fruits and vegetables you’ll want to introduce to your child have high levels of nitrites, due to the fertilized soils in which they grow. The nitrite levels also increase when these food items are stored in your refrigerator. Nitrites are difficult on a baby’s system, because their stomach acidity is too low to properly break them down. Over exposure can cause anemia, or encourage oxygen to be displaced into bloodstreams, resulting in rapid breathing and lethargy. Buying these items (see box below) grown organically, will lessen exposure. If you buy high nitrite foods grown conventionally and make your own baby food, wait to introduce these foods until your baby is over 8 months old or buy these food items in jarred options (manufacturers are able to test nitrite levels)

High nitrite produce includes:

beets

turnips

spinach

mustard

carrots

green beans

butternut squash

strawberries

cantaloupe

About the Author

Lisa Barnes is the founder of Petit Appetit, culinary education services, and an iParent award winning children’s cookbook author. Through her cookbooks, blog, and private cooking classes she empowers parents to provide fresh, healthy, organic foods for their children and families.

Lisa lives in Mill Valley, California with her husband, Lee, son, Jonas and daughter, Ellery (her sous chefs and taste testers). Visit Lisa’s site and blog at www.petitappetit.com for more info and recipes.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Nutrition for children – an important social and personal issue that is often a missing link in the medical model. Award winning author Lisa Barnes shares with us why we should all strongly consider feeding children organically. Thanks for the read and please share if the article resonates with you –

Always wonderful information that you offer us Ginger, Really hoping that one day we won’t have to worry about this as much. Hopefully the world will see what better place it will be eating and being so much healthier soon.

What a great point to make Jerri Jo. I heard someone say about eating organic….”organic food is what our grandparents used to call food.” Maybe we will get to that place one day – full circle – where food is no longer suspect or dangerous.

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Meet Dr. G

Hello and welcome to EudeMOMia! I'm Dr. Ginger Garner, a mother of 3 & longtime physical therapist and athletic trainer in women's health. I know what it's like to have to overcome poor health & healthcare, and my goal is to empower & advocate for you to help you move from recovery after birth to discovery of your best self! Learn more...